Private Lives

Showing at: Hampstead Theatre

Box Office: 020 7722 9301

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Comedy

Private Lives is a razor sharp omedy with a dark underside which centres on estranged couple Amanda and Elyot, who can't live together and can't live apart. When they discover they are honeymooning in the same hotel with their new spouses, they not only fall in love all over again, they learn to hate each other all over again. Fireworks fly as each character yearns desperately for love.

Written in 1929, Private Lives is one of Coward most successful comedies. It was first staged at Hampstead in 1962, bringing about a renaissance in the playwright's career and establishing Hampstead as a prominent new theatre for London, three years after it was founded in 1959.

This revival of Private Lives is staged as part of Hampstead's 50th anniversary season, which revives a successful play from each decade of the theatre's history.

Private Lives is directed by Lucy Bailey, whose recent productions of Timon Of Athens and Titus Andronicus were hits at Shakespeare's Globe. She has previously directed Coward's Tonight At 8.30 at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Coward's numerous plays include Hay Fever, Easy Virtue (which has just been adapted for the big screen), Design For Living, Present Laughter, Blithe Spirit and Relative Values.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 22 Jan 2009
  • opening night: 27 Jan 2009
  • closing: 28 Feb 2009

show times: Mon-Sat 19:30, mats Sat 15:00 & 11, 18 Feb 14:30

ticket prices: £15-£25

Assisted Performances

captioned performance: By STAGETEXT on Tue 24 Feb at 19:30 T: 020 7722 9301  E: access@hampsteadtheatre.com

audio described performance: By STAGETEXT on Sat 21 Feb at 15:00 (Touch Tour 14:00) T: 020 7722 9301  E: access@hampsteadtheatre.com

 

cast: Claire Price, Jasper Britton

author: Noël Coward

director: Lucy Bailey

music by: Errollyn Wallen

lighting designer: Oliver Fenwick

designer: Katrina Lindsay

producer: Hampstead theatre

 

map: View Map

address: Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London, United Kingdom, NW3 3EU

nearest tube: Swiss Cottage (outside theatre)

nearest bus: C11, 13, 31, 46, 82, 113, 187, 268 (mobility buses)

nearest train: South Hampstead (approx. 500m)

parking: Car parking near theatre is free in the evenings. Taxis drop off and pick up right outside main entrance. Patrons welcome to use a private phone to arrange pick up.

air conditioned: Yes

 

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel: 020 7722 9301 Fax: 020 7449 4201  EMAIL: access@hampsteadtheatre.com

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: Discounts available for all disabled theatregoers and their companions.

limited mobility: Seats in the centre stalls have slightly better leg room. Proviing there are no wheelchair users, seats G1, G2, G3, G4 have unlimited leg room - phone first to be certain of availability. Rows F, G and H are best.

access description: Main entrance at ground floor level, with one door assisted and appropriately signed. Hard flooring for effective wheeled traffic, and the two glass doors and walls are marked for improved visibility. Low level Box Office/reception counter (0.95m) on the right, inside foyer. Lift with low level controls, Braille and voice announcements serving all 3 levels to the right beyond the bar in the foyer. Access to Stalls on ground level via a slight ramp (25 steps front to back) and 22 steps up to the upper foyer to access the Circle (9 steps up to back). Stairlift available.

hearing impaired: Infra-red system in auditorium and induction loop at Box Office and bar.

guide dogs policy: 2 Guide dogs allowed into auditorium, alternatively staff are happy to dog sit in the foyer.

wheelchairs: 5 wheelchair spaces and 4 transfer seats are available in the Stalls.

toilets: Men's, women's on all levels, all with level access.

disabled toilets: Adapted toilets on all 3 levels.

bars: Cafébar in foyer with low level counter (0.95m), induction loop and moveable seating. Menu available in large print - please ask. Drinks may be brought to disabled customers in the auditorium.

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